Take the high road
The North Coast 500 led the way back in 2015. Since then several other Scottish regions have come up with their own driving routes. Andrew Eames has got the lowdown on four of the best
The North Coast 500
This ambitious 500-mile circuit runs around the coastline of Scotland’s far north.
Starting (and finishing) in Inverness, the NC 500 (northcoast500.com) can be completed in either direction, depending on whether you prefer to begin with the green east or the wild west.
It is signposted, although much of the time it runs along the only available road, sometimes single track but with passing places.
Its west coast section is all about dramatic beauty, from remote villages like Applecross (reached over a challenging mountain pass) to the lively fishing and ferry port of Ullapool.
Once upon a time these remote regions were far more populated than they are now. Migration, whether forced or otherwise, has changed all that, leaving lots of tumbledown croft houses.
The northwestern tip, Durness, has surprisingly fine white sand beaches at Balnakeil if you fancy an invigorating dip.
The northeastern tip, John o’Groats, is the windswept furthest point of the kingdom where tidal races meet, and where the cyclist end-to-enders (Land’s End to John o’Groats) celebrate their final arrival.
The eastern coast is altogether more fertile and more gentle, with timeless golf resorts as in the handsome town of Dornoch and elegantly appointed castles such as Dunrobin, which with its lavish ornamental gardens and opulent interiors feels much more like a fantasy French chateau.
Where to stay: Ullapool’s Ceilidh Place has long been the favourite gathering spot in town, with regular live music. It also has a bunkhouse as well as private rooms. Doubles from £132 a night. theceilidhplace.com